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Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
2/17/2016
Observer Name
Hardesty and Snowbasin snow safety GR Fletcher
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry
Location Name or Route
No Name and Hell's
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Tough conditions with strong southwest winds. Very little snow available for transport due to various rime and melt-freeze crusts. Warm but no significant melt off or free water issues.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

2mm rime crust up to highest elevations. Made skiing interesting. Damp down low.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Some AX size 1&2 wind slabs from Tuesday noted in the cirques. Otherwise no significant red flags for today. Poor structure not that poor in the perimeter. Multiple pits at 9000', 8500', 8000', 7500' revealed facets 30cm above the ground in repeaters, but ectx on all with x-pst 95/100 on this layering. CT eliciting failure beneath rain crust from 3 weeks ago. This at 7500'. Not noted higher. Down 20cm. All on ne aspects. HS roughly 90-130cm
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #1 Comments

Overall a pretty hammered snow pack due to wind, rime, rain, warmth...with not alarming basal facets in repeater terrain. New snow issues with the storm; lower elevations already hammered by rain/warmth. Have to see what happens with water amounts and wind. Many large cornices ready to calve off.

Pics - rimed surface sheen, 2mm rime crust, xpst95/100 results, damp facets up 30cm from ground.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate